Rayagada: District police have destroyed hemp plants grown on at least 254 acres in the past few weeks as part of its drive against ganja cultivation and trade.
Rayagada superintendent of police Rahul P.R. said: "Illegal hemp cultivation is spread over hundreds of acres in the district's shared boundary with Gajapati. The hemp plants we destroyed were just tip of the iceberg. Our operation against the cultivation and trade will continue."
Sources said villagers had taken up hemp cultivation with initial support from the traders from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bengal and Chhattisgarh.
The areas being remote and Maoist infested, the administration rarely takes action against it. As a result, members of the tribal community freely carry out hemp cultivation. "The tribal people have taken up hemp cultivation with initial investment, support and supply of hybrid hemp seeds from the traders from Andhra and Chhattisgarh. Though we used to take action against hemp cultivation earlier, it was erratic. Now, our operation will continue for a longer period," he said.
Sources said the cultivation took place in October-November and January-February, mostly at the Maoist-infested villages under Rayagada's Padmapur and Gudari blocks along the boundary with Gajapati district.
"With money easily available through such cultivation, the tribal people are reluctant to take up agriculture or work as labourers," a source said.
The sources alleged that no action was taken against illegal hemp cultivation in the district's Maoist strongholds for fear of the rebels. Hemp is freely cultivated in Gajapati, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Boudh and Sambalpur districts as well.
Intelligence reports reveal that the Maoists get a hefty cut from ganja cultivation for their operations. Earlier, the state government had explored the idea of using aerial sprays to destroy the plantations where it is grown over inaccessible tracts.
On Thursday, the police had arrested four smugglers with 283kg ganja while they were smuggling the contraband to Raipur through Phulbani.
